Marilyn Monroe at 84
(Marilyn Monroe: June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962)
Had it not been for a hot summer’s night
No bottle of pills beckoning to slumber now and forever
Had it not been for a buzzing telephone fallen away to the floor
She would have been eighty four
Today
I was standing pool side at the rich house where I was working
Summer’s work, a lowly house girl
Maybe I was on break or watching the two children
I can’t remember
Then
But someone came out from the rich house and said
Have you heard the news?
Marilyn Monroe is dead.
You’re joking, was my quick response.
Now?
I wasn’t really fond of her
I never liked women who played to the stereotype
Dumb blonde and all, big boobs
Women are so much more.
When?
(Marilyn Monroe: June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962)
Had it not been for a hot summer’s night
No bottle of pills beckoning to slumber now and forever
Had it not been for a buzzing telephone fallen away to the floor
She would have been eighty four
Today
I was standing pool side at the rich house where I was working
Summer’s work, a lowly house girl
Maybe I was on break or watching the two children
I can’t remember
Then
But someone came out from the rich house and said
Have you heard the news?
Marilyn Monroe is dead.
You’re joking, was my quick response.
Now?
I wasn’t really fond of her
I never liked women who played to the stereotype
Dumb blonde and all, big boobs
Women are so much more.
When?
I knew so little of her
Dumb blonde? Not even blonde.
Marilyn. Oh really Norma Jeane.
Nine short years of fame.
Gone.
But I was wrong, she was much more--
But too many men beheld her with their eyes
And saw what they wished to see
For her to ever be more
Forever.
On this bright day, summer’s first
No matter what the calendar says
She would have been eighty-four
A life-time ago.
----------------------------
A poem composed (by me) this day, June 1, 2010, in homage to a woman.
Photo credit: a still shot from the movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"
7 comments:
I was never a huge fan of her movies unti I saw "The Prince and the Showgirl"
I really liked that movie.
Nice, Donna. I like it.
In those days and in that time, women like her seemed almost powerful, for I believe she knew full well the power she possessed. But, she did not know how to own it and allowed it to be defined by men. Sad, tragic story, and a wonderful homage to her Donna.
I was on a boat on the St Lawrence river coming into Montreal from Africa when she died. I remember the captain announcing it but had no idea who she was. It is one of those strange young childhood memories that never goes away. I like your poem very much.
Very good poem. She was quite the woman.
I always enjoyed Marilyn Munroe in the movies. I never thought of her as a dumb blonde. She always exuded a kind of innocent playful sexuality. How different that is than the harsh eroticism that seem to be the standard today. They are different times.
Having died young, she will always be young and vivacious. What a nice way to remember someone.
I am moved that you would be moved to write a poem about her.
It would have been nice to know Norma Jean better and not just the persona of Marilyn.
Wow. Just wow.
Post a Comment